The MRT-3 project (using 73 Czech-made train cars) was originally carried out by Sumitomo Corporation, in partnership with MHIENG (then known as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.), for the construction of a full urban transportation system, inclusive of elevated structures, stations, rails, signals, communications, transformers, wiring, railway depots, and trains, running a total length of 17 kilometers and comprising a total of 13 stations. The Export-Import Bank of Japan (now the Japan Bank for International Cooperation) granted export credit for the project, while the Czech Export Bank provided export credit for the rolling stock. The line has been utilized by Manila residents as a means of transport for well over a dozen years since the line went into full operation in 2000.

Sumitomo Corporation, together with its partner, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and its Group company TES Philippines Inc. (Head Office: Quezon, Philippines; Representative Director, President: Kiyoshi Morita; hereinafter, “TESP”), was contracted to provide maintenance until 2012, but since then the aging of the system and disruptions in the procurement of maintenance parts have reduced the system’s operating rate.

The aim of the Project, with TESP joining as a partner, is to carry out extensive repairs to all rolling stock and equipment whose operating rates have dropped due to aging or other reasons, without interfering with ordinary operation, in order to restore the line’s safety and efficiency. A new safe maintenance regime will also be developed to maintain high operating rates even after the repairs are finished. Repair work will begin in January 2019 and be concluded in July 2022 (contract period: 43 months). The contract is worth about 35.5 billion yen, which the DOTr will pay through yen-denominated loans from the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Economic losses from traffic congestion in Manila have been estimated to be as high as 3.5 billion pesos (approximately 7.5 billion yen) per day, and repairing MRT-3 and enhancing its passenger transport capacity should help alleviate traffic congestion.

Sumitomo Corporation has heretofore actively engaged in railway-related businesses both inside and outside Japan, and has been involved in numerous railway construction and rolling stock export projects, mostly in Southeast Asia, the US and East Asia. Sumitomo Corporation will be utilizing its wealth of experience to ensure the Project contract is fulfilled steadily and smoothly.

MHIENG, utilizing as its strengths the reliability of its transportation systems confirmed by its delivery and operational track record, as well as engineering capabilities and project management skills acquired through extensive experience, is further enhancing efforts to develop and support transportation systems, including the construction of new railways, as well as measures for the expansion, improved transport capacity, and renovation of existing networks.

■ Project overview

Project name

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Manila Metro Rail Transit Line 3 Rehabilitation Project

Client

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Department of Transportation, Republic of the Philippines

Work scope

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Repair work to the full system (rail lines, wiring, transformers, signals, communications, rolling stock, etc.), excluding civil engineering and construction work

Work overview

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The aim is to carry out repairs of the MRT-3 system on its full 16.9-kilometer length along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA),
Metro Manila’s main thoroughfare, and restore the system to its previous high operating rate

■Sumitomo Corporation’s Material Issues
Sumitomo Corporation Group positions “Six Material Issues to Achieve Sustainable Growth with Society” as an important factor in developing business strategies and in the decision-making process for individual businesses. Going forward, we will pursue sustainable growth by resolving these issues through our business activities. This project especially contributes to “Achieving Harmony with the Global Environment”, “the Development of Local Communities and Industries” and “Establishing a Foundation for Comfortable and Enriching Lifestyles”.